Council says no to horse-carriage operation

Whitefish City Council rejected a request for a horse-carriage business to operate along city streets.

Resident Stacy Reid proposed the operation of Tamarack Carriage Routes with plans to operate the carriage on weekends giving 30- to 45-minute tours around town during the summer and fall seasons. She mapped out routes around the city, she said, based upon speed limits and traffic patterns.

“I thought Whitefish was a beautiful place for this service,” she said. “I thought it would add to Whitefish.”

Councilor Frank Sweeney was quick to dismiss the plan even while noting his own fondness for horses.

“Putting horses on Wisconsin and Highway 93 is fraught with peril,” he said. “I have huge concerns about this — horses and traffic don’t work well together.”

Mayor John Muhlfeld said he, too, has concerns about the concept.

“I respect what you’re tying to do here,” he told Reid. “But this is fraught with safety issues. Wisconsin Avenue in the summer is bumper-to-bumper traffic. I don’t think it will work there.”

Reid was asking Council to sign-off on a spot on Depot Street near the train depot where she could station the carriage when it’s not in use between tours. She has permission from The Lodge at Whitefish Lake and Grouse Mountain Lodge to use their parking lots as turnaround areas.

Proposed routes are along East Edgewood Drive, Wisconsin Avenue, East Second Street, West Seventh Street, Lion Mountain Drive, Baker Avenue, JP and Monegan roads, U.S. 93 and other city streets.

Council split on the matter voting 3-2 with Councilors Richard Hildner and Pam Barberis voting in favor of the business.

Hildner had suggested the city allow for trial period of 45 days for the horse-carriage operation, but couldn’t find enough support from his fellow councilors.

“I think this is a great idea,” he said. “It’s worth taking a look at. If it doesn’t work, it will be pretty obvious quickly.”

Following the vote, Reid asked council if it might reconsider if she returned with a new proposed route. Council said it would.

Police Chief Bill Dial said he doesn’t have any concerns about the carriage operation as long as it follows traffic laws.

“I think this is a great idea,” he said. “I would discourage her from being on Highway 93, but it’s great for downtown.”

According to city codes for use of public ways, the council is authorized to designate places on city streets where public and private hacks, buses and taxicabs can stand when not in use.